Gwangju Buk-gu Receives Ministerial Award for 'Traditional Market and Shopping District Revitalization' Hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups

Received Minister of SMEs and Startups Award in Traditional Market and Shopping District Revitalization Excellence

Contributed to Traditional Market Revitalization and Competitiveness Enhancement through Parking Environment Improvement and Specialization Projects

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Buk-gu, Gwangju City announced on the 4th that it received the Minister’s Award in the Excellent Support Local Government category, the only autonomous district in Gwangju to do so, at the ‘2022 Traditional Market and Shopping District Revitalization Merit Awards’ hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

This merit award is given annually by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups to outstanding individuals and organizations that have contributed to the revitalization of traditional markets and shopping districts, aiming to boost morale and foster pride.

Accordingly, Buk-gu was recognized for its contribution to revitalizing commercial districts through market management innovation support such as traditional market facility modernization projects, parking environment improvement projects, specialization projects, and customized marketing support projects, and was selected as an excellent local government in the organization category.

In particular, the Malbau Market Third Parking Lot, created with a total investment of 18 billion KRW to improve the parking environment of Malbau Market, Buk-gu’s representative traditional market, is the largest traditional market parking lot in Korea, easing traffic congestion around the market and enhancing parking convenience for visitors.

In addition, the market environment was improved through facility modernization projects such as arcade installation and fire detector installation, and the specialization projects such as cultural tourism markets fostered unique traditional markets and shopping districts distinctive to the region, which also received high marks.

Director Moon said, “I hope this award will be an opportunity to recover the depressed local commercial district,” and added, “We will continue to discover and promote various support projects to strengthen and revitalize the economic power of traditional markets and shopping districts.”

Meanwhile, in the individual category within the jurisdiction, Min Kyungbon, chairman of the Yongbong-dong Fashion Street Merchants Association, received the Minister’s Award.

Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong ks7664@asiae.co.kr